Availability:
Widely available in central Florida. Commonly available at native plant nurseries in northeast Florida.
Description: Small deciduous tree or large shrub forming dense thickets by suckering. Reddish brown furrowed bark. Showy, fragrant white flowers in the spring.
Dimensions: Typically 8-20 feet in height, can be as broad as tall.
Growth Rate: Fast.
Range:
Southern United States south to Lake, Hillsborough, and Highlands counties. For a digitized image of Elbert Little's Florida range map, visit the
Exploring Florida website.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.
Habitats: Woodland edges, dry hammocks.
Soils: Moist to dry, well-drained sandy soils, with or without humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements: Low to moderate; it can grow in nutrient poor soils or soils with some organic content.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements: Full sun.
Flower Color: White.
Flower Characteristics: Showy, fragrant.
Flowering Season: Spring.
Fruit: Red to yellow oval, edible but tart.
Wildlife and Ecology: Attracts pollinators. Provides food and cover for wildlife.
Horticultural Notes: Spreads by root suckers.
References: Huegel (
2010), Nelson (
2003), Nelson
Comments: We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's
Flower Friday page.
